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Parking for a couple of cars at T23362 86056A. Follow track for about 1km to T23477 86889B where the track forks. Take the right track and continue along here for a about 200m to communications mast, which is as close as is feasibly possible to get to the highest point, given the dense tree and briar covering. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1190/comment/15434/

Picture from simon3 : View to the north east over arboretum.

Picture: View to the north east over arboretum.

Puzzles of the hill.

by simon3 3 Nov 2014

The first puzzle of this hill is "Where is the top". Given the current covering in Sitka Spruce with razor wire briers I can't see any onsite determination of this at present and I am not so sure even modern technology like photogrammetry or lidar would do any better. So I think that considering the top to be beside the communications tower is unlikely to be disputable until the trees are mature or cut.

A second puzzle are some of the trees nearby such as the one shown in the picture here. This and another are Chilean Pines, usually better known as Monkey Puzzles.

In fact Westaston Hill is the high end of an arboretum originally started by a line of Cromwellian settlers called Acton. This is now operated as Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens by the OPW. Here's what they have to say about the monkey-puzzles on Westaston Hill:

"Tom Acton had a rule of thumb to plant three of every important tree or shrub. One was planted where visiting plantsmen told him it would thrive, another where he thought it would survive, and the last where it would unquestionably not survive. Examples of the latter may be seen on the brow of Westaston Hill that overlooks the house and estate. To this day, a line of exotics, like Himalayan rhododendrons, mighty North American conifers and Chilean trees, all planted by Tom Acton’s gardeners, still grow on this wind swept site. Most are in ragged order and battered because of their exposed positions – except for two fine monkey puzzles. This tree inhabits the high Andes of Chile where it is exposed to the same raging winds. In this case, a tree planted in a situation where he was told it would positively not grow, did survive, indeed it thrived."

Take a look if you visit Westaston, these trees are magnificent.

More at http://www.botanicgardens.ie/kilmac/kilmhist.htm Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1190/comment/17739/

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Picture from eamonoc : Mastaston?

Picture: Mastaston?

Another Mast

by eamonoc 22 Feb 2014

Climbed on 21/2/2014. Had a bit of difficulty navigating to the start point as there were some road closures hereabouts. Eventually made it to T23362 86056A, followed main forest track to point T23477 86889B took right fork here and followed track up to communications mast. Nice views east towards Brittas Bay. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1190/comment/15872/

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The top?

by Barry 23 Sep 2017

I think the highest point is likely about 175 metres in a WSW direction from the mast. I'm judging this from aerial photography and DTM which shows a rocky outcrop in a small forest clearing. DTM gives a reading of about 270.5m on this outcrop with a figure of c.268m near mast. Could be some distortion in heights due to tree cover. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1190/comment/19731/

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Picture from sandman : Summit Area

Picture: Summit Area

Sliced and Diced.

by sandman 8 May 2014

If you go out in the woods today be sure of a supprise when you reach the mast on this hill as the summit is app 65 meters opposite in the dense jungle so you have a choice wait till the trees are felled or prepair to be sliced and diced. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1190/comment/16058/

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Picture from Colin Murphy : Foxglove trails

Picture: Foxglove trails

Foxglove heaven

by Colin Murphy 2 Jul 2019

One of this top's few redeeming features, were the masses of foxgloves lining the tracks on the way to the summit, which certainly enlivened an otherwise dreary walk. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/1190/comment/20569/